By Graeme Fletcher, Postmedia News

Originally published: September 10, 2013

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Kia pulled the wraps off its funky, scissor-doored Niro concept. It is, according to Kia, the antithesis of the typical 4×4 or SUV. There is no question the look breaks the mold — it is part SUV, part compact car and all different. Interestingly, it is underpinned by a new platform that will be the basis of Kia’s future compact offerings. If public reaction is positive, the Niro will move from concept to reality according to Gregory Guillaume, chief designer at Kia’s Frankfurt studio.

Riding on large P225/40R20 tires the Niro is no ordinary mud-bogger, as it’s powered by a hybrid drivetrain. The front wheels are driven by a 1.6-litre 160-horsepower, four-cylinder engine that’s teamed with a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission. At the back, there’s an electric motor that chips in with another 45 hp. It gets its power from a lithium-ion battery that is charged through regenerative braking. Inside, the minimalist theme accommodates two riders up front and features an “occasional use” rear seat. In a nod to a current Russian fad, the Niro features front, rear and door mirror-mounted cameras — the Russian connection is found in the ability to record live video, which can then be used to absolve the driver of the responsibility for a crash.

Kia also unveiled its new Soul. While the look is unmistakable, just about everything else is new. The second-generation Soul rides on a larger platform (the wheelbase is up 20 mm) and has more solidity to its look. This is underscored by the extensive use of high-strength steel — 66% of the body is now constructed of this lightweight, but strong material, which brings a 29% improvement in torsional rigidity. As well as giving the suspension a better base of operations, it allowed Kia to reduce the width of the A pillars by 20 mm, which improves forward visibility. Inside, the cabin has been completely reworked. The seats are new, the steering wheel has a chunkier feel and the instrumentation on the high-end models features a 4.2-inch TFT LCD screen. The Soul also ushers in Kia’s all-new, fourth-generation infotainment/navigation system. The eight-inch screen, which adopts a 16:9 format, features split-screen capability and it is capacitive, meaning it supports smartphone swipe gestures.

Finally, the face-lifted Optima was on stage. It features new front and rear fascias, a funky set of four-pod fog lights to go with the over-headlight LED positioning lights. Inside, it gets nicer materials and, on the SX Turbo, a reworked navigation system and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.